UPDATED – 2024
Welcome! – We are excited to announce an update to all the Religious Education programs in the Oak Park area! Historically there were separate religious education offerings in each of the four Oak Park Catholic Churches as well as the Family Mass Community. Over the past few years, there has been some collaboration between those religious education departments. This year, that collaboration will be even stronger.
With a unified Religious Education, families will be able to discern which religious education model works best for them, empowering parents to truly be the first teachers of their children. Religious education will be more responsive to unique situations. Some classes have a Montessori style learning environment with experiential opportunities. Others have a more traditional classroom and use a textbook. Additionally, one has families coming together to share prayer and engage faith.
This unified religious education is a part of Spirit and Light: A Catholic Collaborative for Living Faith. It is a catechetical resource for the Catholic Community in Oak Park and the surrounding areas. Its mission is welcoming all and sharing Christian faith within the Catholic context.
For more information on our program offerings, please click on the links located on the area titled “Our Spirit and Light – Religious Education Programs” on the right side of a PC screen or scrolling down on a mobile screen. By clicking on each program, you will learn more about each individual religious program. Below you will find more information regarding registration, catechist information and tuition fees.
How to receive an Electronic Registration Form
- For families who had a child registered in our program during the 2023-2024 school year – On August 1, we will send via email an electronic registration form to all families through our Flocknote platform from our “Spirit and Light” Religious Education Office. If you do not receive an email on August 1, please contact us slreligioused@spiritandlightcenter.org.
- New families to the program – New families are asked to contact the religious education office at slreligioused@spiritandlightcenter.org for further questions and information.
2024-2025 Tuition Fees
- (1) Child Family – $350
- (2) Children Family – $500
- (3 +) Children Family – $600
2024-2025 Sacramental Information and Fees
Students also receive formation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation at the appropriate age and readiness through the parish Sacrament Preparation program. The formation for all sacraments includes students and their parents in a multi-generational setting which fosters prayer, formation, and service throughout their preparation process.
For Sacrament Formation information at St. Giles Campus, please contact Alex Ryan at alexryan@spiritandlightcenter.org or 708-383-3430 x 403.
For Sacrament Formation information at Ascension Campus, please contact Terri Monaco at tmonaco@spiritandlightcenter.org or 708-848-2703.
- First Communion – $80
- Confirmation – $90
- If your child is eligible for a Sacrament this year, that fee will be paid at a later time – More information will be provided no later than mid-September.
Catechists and Volunteers
A CALL FOR CATECHISTS – You are invited to become a catechist of any of our Religious Education Programs – There are opportunities to share your faith with our children (3 years – 8th grade). No experience is necessary except for an open heart and a willingness to share your faith with the future of our collaboration. A benefit to being a catechist, if your child is enrolled in the program there will be a $125 reduction in your tuition.
If you would like to be a catechist or volunteer for any of the faith formation offerings, do let us know. If you have any other questions, we would love to hear from you. Please email the Religious Education office at slreligioused@spiritandlightcenter.org.
- We are seeking catechists for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at the St. Giles Campus – Please contact Rachel Faulman, CGS Coordinator, at rfaulman@spiritandlightcenter.org, or 708-383-3430 x 421.
- Traditional RE at the Ascension Campus needs catechists and classroom aides – Contact Coordinator Terri Monaco at tmonaco@spiritandlightcenter.org.
- Become a Middle School Ministry Table Leader – Be a witness of your faith by accompanying a small group of 7th and 8th graders in discussions and activities. Please contact Coordinator Marci Madary at mmadary@spiritandlightcenter.org.
- The Family RE program at the Ascension Campus is in need of catechists, classroom aides, and substitutes – For any questions, please contact Coordinator Timothy Smyth at tmsmyth@spiritandlightcenter.org.
- SPRED – Volunteers Needed! – SPRED is not a classroom model of religious education – we need adult volunteers who will be trained to form a small community of faith and grow in their own faith as they welcome people of a particular age group. If you are called to service in this ministry, please contact Coordinator Kelly McCreary at kmccreary@spiritandlightcenter.org.
- PREP – Catechists Needed! – PREP is designed to give pre-school children (ages 3-5 years) an introduction to basic Catholic Christian Principles. If you are called to service in this ministry, please contact Coordinator Kelly McCreary at kmccreary@spiritandlightcenter.org.
